Boot Out Austerity appeal

Support for the Boot Out Austerity campaign via contributions towards the walkers’ costs will be gratefully received - any surplus will be passed to groups the walkers meet en route

On 19th April, a group of social workers and supporters will set off from Birmingham on a seven-day walk to Liverpool, to arrive the day before the British Association of Social Workers hold their 2017 Annual General Meeting and Conference there.

Drawing inspiration from the Jarrow marchers of 1936, and more recently the People’s March for the NHS in 2014 and a group of psychologists who Walked the Talk in 2015, the aim of the walkers will be to highlight the devastating impact of nine years of austerity. We will be calling for an end to these policies of cuts and welfare reform, which are causing misery and hardship for so many, to be replaced by the investment that’s needed for a more socially just and caring society.

We want as many people as possible to be able to join the walk, and recognise there are barriers to participation for some, which may include the financial costs of taking part.

Since we launched the publicity for the walk, many people, BASW members and others, have been in touch to say that they are unable to join the walk but are keen to support those who do, as part of this social movement.

BASW and the Social Workers Union have already pledged money to meet the general costs of the walk, and to this we are adding this fundraising appeal to enable as many individuals as possible to participate. Any surplus funds raised will be donated to groups we meet along the route who are supporting those directly impacted by austerity.